Mother calls 911 because of her son's late-night gaming fest

A Roxbury, Mass., mother had enough.

"I woke up in the middle of the night and saw the light on in his bedroom," 49-year-old Angela Mejia said.

Frustrated and frantic, Mejia did all she could to subdue her 14-year-old son at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning so she called 911:

"I called (police) because if you don’t respect your mother, what are you going to do in your life?"

The teenager had been playing "Grand Theft Auto" against his mother's wishes.

When officers from the nearby Boston suburb's police department arrived they quickly convinced the boy to carefully place the controller on the floor and go to bed.

The single mother of four had made little progress in convincing her son to sleep over playing video games and made the 911 call in a final act of desperation.

"Sometimes I want to run away, too. I have support from my church, but I’m alone. I want to help my son, but I can’t find a way."

No one was arrested in the incident.

What are your thoughts?

What does it mean when a mother has to call the police to stop her child from playing video games?

Bad parenting? Or has video game obsession gone too far?

Man marries a Nintendo DS video game character

A surprising story out of Japan today as cnn.com reported a 27-year old Tokyo man has married a video game character.

You read that correctly, a grown - or allegedly grown - man has married his virtually girlfriend from the Nintendo DS dating game "Love Plus."

The man who understandably only gave the name "Sal 9000" married Nene Anegasaki this past week in front of a collection of friends and broadcast on the internet for everyone to see.

According to the CNN report, Sal 9000 understands his marriage is not legally binding - however - he said a living, breathing girlfriend is no longer a necessity:

She doesn't get angry if I'm late in replying to her. Well, she gets angry, but she forgives me quickly.

The CNN video is below:


The game as interactive simulation where virtual girlfriends interact with players communicating primarily through speaking to the DS although the game eventually prompts users to "kiss" the screen. That's not to mention the possibility of the game's other potentionally freaky features.

Sorry English speaking gamers, the game is a Japanese-only title thus far.

Sal said he has even taken Nene with him on vacation to Disneyland and Guam:

If addiction is playing this every single day, then you might call me addicted

Another video report on Sal 9000 and his new bride:


Nevertheless, if this Japanese man doesn't signify the decline of physical communication as a result of the digital revolution, I don't know what is.

What do you think? Can you replace human interaction with a video game? What video game character would you date?

Halo Reach Debut Trailer

At "Spike TV's Video Game Awards" Bungie Studios unveiled a first glimpse of the next installment of the "Halo" franchise.

The prequel to 2001's widely popular first-person shooter "Halo: Combat Evolved," "Halo Reach" is said to feature the elite military unit called "The Spartan Project" on the military supply planet aptly named "Reach" - hence the game's title.

Those interested in the playing the game's beta next year will need to own a copy of "Halo 3: ODST" to receive an invitation. "Halo" fans will have a long wait to "reach" with the game's release slated for Fall 2010.

More information on "Reach" can be found at the game's official site at Bungie.net.

15 Years of Playstation

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Japanese launch of the Sony Playstation.

Although the Sony console didn't make its way state-side until 1995, the CD-ROM based video game system quickly left an impression on the industry resulting in to subsequent console releases as well as a handheld.

Tackling the Sega Saturn and eventually winning-out against the Nintendo 64, the Sony Playstation introduced a new alternative in the gaming market and provided game developers a cheaper format for which to design games.

The release of the Playstation 2 in 2000 precluded a record-breaking sales figure of over 130 million units sold and was the first console to embark on Sony's 10-year life cycle which is barely holding on into 2010.

The console giant later released its first bout into the handheld gaming market with the Playstation Portable in Japan in 2004 and later the US in 2005. It was Sony's attempt to release Nintendo's stranglehold on the market although it has proven unsuccessful thus far playing second banana to the Nintendo DS.

Finally the 2006 release of the Playstation 3 was Sony's first misstep as the former console leader dropped to third falling behind the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the widely popular Nintendo Wii. Combating criticism of difficult development from game makers despite the consoles powerful "cell processor," Sony also priced itself out of reach from many gamers with an initial $599 price tag. Only until Sony's recent price drop has sales finally swung back in Sony's favor.

Nevertheless, with nearly every milestone video game title making its way to a Sony console in the last 15 years it is hard to ignore the importance of Playstation's impact on the industry.

To illustrate the point, below is a list of just a few popular franchises that were first launched on a Sony console:

• Resident Evil
• Tomb Raider
• Metal Gear Solid
• Gran Turismo
• Silent Hill
• Devil May Cry
• Kingdom Hearts
• Tekken
• Medal of Honor
• Ratchet and Clank
• Twisted Metal

Medal of Honor Engages Modern Warfare

Just weeks after Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's record breaking release Electronic Arts made an announcement yesterday that the company's popular first-person shooter franchise Medal of Honor will receive a much needed restart.

In a press release the company wrote the typically WWII-only FPS series will explore modern conflicts through the eyes of the elite Tier 1 Operator a military entity under the National Command Authority.

According to the release, development studios and EALA will handle the single-player campaign while EA DICE will design the multiplayer side of the new title set to launch on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC in Fall 2010.

These two studios are coming together to deliver a world-class Medal of Honor that is poised to re-set and re-boot the franchise for a new generation.

No news on the gameplay of the shooter as of yet, but the story will surround a band of fictional soldiers as they interact with not-so-fictional events in Afghanistan.

Sean Decker, VP and General Manager of EALA, said the new title simply named "Medal of Honor" is going to focus heavily on its narrative.

EA has always been an advocate for telling the soldiers’ story. The new Medal of Honor follows that tradition. We felt it was important to tell the story of today’s war and today’s elite soldiers via today’s most relevant medium – videogames.

It appears that players will encounter possible moral delimmas when facing real life events in one of the most violently active corners of the globe according to the release.

Inspired by real events, Medal of Honor reveals the mission of today’s most elite American soldier – his will, his mindset and his uncompromising professionalism.

As of now there is little on the game's official web site aside from a 9 second video that simply shows what is likely to be the game's tagline "I fight with my mind. My hands and my weapons are an extention of my will."

Finally, eager fans of the series ready to see the franchise take a step away from the oversaturated World War II genre can get a first-look on Spike TV’s 2009 Video Game Awards at 11 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PST Saturday, Dec 12.

VGF Magazine on Sale!!!!

Yes its been on sale for over a week now, but now it really is On Sale!!!!!

Order your copy of "VGF Magazine" today for only $1.60 thanks to MagCloud's holiday sale. All magazines are 25% off and that of course includes "VGF Magazine."

Place your order and support VGF.

VGF 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and like I was told by a source earlier in the week "Gobble Gobble."

Hopefully you're awake from your turkey nap and ready to get back to bed from some of tomorrow's "Black Friday" doorbuster deals.

That being said, make sure you are prepared with the knowledge of this year's hottest video game for the gamer in your life. To lend you a helping hand, below is a list of biggest games this holiday season by console and genre:

Wii Exclusive
New Super Mario Bros. Wii










Poor Wii owners haven't really had much to celebrate this year, but leave it to Nintendo to release at least one must-have Nintendo title per year. "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" is not only that title this year, it is one of the hottest games across all consoles this holiday season. Young gamers and older Mario fans will have an amazing nostalgic trip playing Mario in his original 2D glory in an all new game.


Xbox 360 Exclusive
Halo 3: ODST










Sure it's not Master Chief, but it is Halo. Halo 3: ODST focuses on an "Orbital Drop Shock Troope" unit as you traverse an open world first-person shooter environment. Although it did not receive as high marks as other games in the "Halo" series, "ODST" is sure to please any Xbox 360 and "Halo" fan - and there are a lot out there.


Playstation 3 Exclusive
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves









This sequel to the 2007 PS3 action-adventure title is also one of the year's most critically acclaimed games. "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" does everything a sequel should by being bigger, longer and more beautiful. Couple that with a thematic style fully integrated with gameplay and you have the biggest Playstation 3 exclusive holiday release of 2009.


Nintendo DS Exclusive
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks







Although this title is not available until Dec. 7, "The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks" is certain to be a game DS owners will love this coming holiday season. This time series hero Link is a train conductor traveling across Hyrule. The game is sure to utilize many of the same gameplay mechanics of the DS the same way it's predecessor "Phantom Hourglass" did in 2007.


Playstation Portable Exclusive
Little Big Planet









If you're not a PS3 owner, but have a PSP you need to get your hands on "Little Big Planet" for the PSP. It's PS3 brother own numerous awards last year including "Game of the Year" from the Interactive Achievement Awards and this year's PSP version of the 2D side-scroller is certain to light up your PSP very soon.


First-Person Shooter
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Xbox 360, PS3, PC










Breaking the world record for the biggest entertainment release with over $550 million in sale the first week "Modern Warfare 2" is on the top of every first-person shooter's wish list. Blending a solid story with a deep multiplayer experience and new co-operative modes and you have a golden release already enjoyed by millions across the globe. Remember to click here for VGF's preview-review of "Modern Warfare 2."


Action-Adventure
Assassin's Creed 2
Xbox 360, PS3, PC










Early reviews are showing that this year's sequel to the 2007 action-adventure title builds on the city-scaping thriller. Italian assassin Ezio Auditore di Firenze (like you need to be told he is Italian) races across rooftops, streets, and waterways to seize his pray in this open world, time traveling title. Like "Uncharted 2" this sequel is bigger and better than its brilliant predecessor.


Rhythm Game
The Beatles: Rock Band
Wii, Xbox 360, PS3










Sure it's a band-exclusive game, but it's "The Beatles." Showcasing one of the world's greatest musical groups in a game that is well polished and meets gamers with a non-abrasive difficulty, "The Beatles: Rock Band" is sure to please. Add two full album track packs - and another in December - and you have a game that will continue giving beyond 2009.